RE: An argument against elective abortion
December 2, 2010 at 3:45 pm
(December 2, 2010 at 6:08 am)Arcanus Wrote: 1. The deliberate killing of innocent humans is morally wrong.
2. Elective abortion is the deliberate killing of an innocent human.
3. Therefore, elective abortion is morally wrong.
1. OK.
2. Fail. The fetus isn't a human. It's a potential human.
3. Conclusion not supported.
Further detail:
1. Questions of morality apply to how we treat our fellow thinking, feeling beings (sentience).
2. Without sentience, there are no questions of morality. We have no obligations morally to rocks or bacteria.
3. Sentience requires a functioning brain. Even if you're a "dualist", the brain is still essential.
4. There is no significant brain development until week 21.
5. Most abortions occur in the first trimester, well before this time.
6. It's very difficult to get an abortion after week 21. The woman's life must be in danger.
7. Ergo, the laws we have now are sufficient.